Warnock keen on Bullard swoop

11 July 2011 01:23

eil Warnock has confirmed his interest in Hull midfielder Jimmy Bullard as QPR look to make up to six new signings ahead of the new season.

The Championship winners have yet to dip into the transfer market this summer with Warnock admitting that financial restrictions have hampered his efforts so far.

Despite the vast personal wealth of the Loftus Road club's owners, Bernie Ecclestone, Flavio Briatore and Lakshmi Mittal, their experienced manager is working within a budget prior to their return to Premier League action.

The lack of movement so far has proved to be a frustration for the former Sheffield United and Crystal Palace manager, but he remains confident new faces will be forthcoming.

"You are bound to be frustrated. We need five or six players. We have done a lot of work, but unfortunately not been able to tie anybody up," he told Sky Sports News.

"We have got a number of targets and I'm still optimistic that I can bring enough good players in to help us in the coming season.

"We are working hard to get value for money and I am trying to get players in on our wage structure which we have implemented for the Premier League.

"We have been linked with a lot of players. I have spoken to three or four personally, but we haven't been able to afford either the transfer fees or the wages.

"We are down the line with a couple. Jimmy Bullard is one of a number we are talking about. We need strikers and centre-halves. We need a number of positions filling.

"We would like to bring three or four good players in and I'm sure we will in the next few weeks."

One player who is widely expected to depart the West London club this summer is playmaker Adel Taarabt, with Paris Saint-Germain understood to have already made a £13.5million bid.

But Warnock claims the mercurial Morocco international will be back in pre-season training in the coming days unless an acceptable offer is received.

He said: "Until someone comes up with a realistic offer which the owners accept then Adel will be back the week after next training with us. I've not written Adel off by any means."

Warnock's own future continues to be the subject of speculation, particularly in the wake of vice-chairman Amit Bhatia's departure in May.

Bhatia helped persuade Warnock his future lay at Loftus Road and his departure means that the outspoken man in the dugout has lost one of his key allies in the boardroom, but he insists he will only be judged on results next term.

He said: "If I lose a few games, I'll be sacked, like everyone else in the Premier League.

"It was a disappointment when Amit left because he brought me to the club. I wouldn't be here now if he hadn't told me his vision for the club.

"My position with Flavio and Bernie. it's only in the papers has it been speculated on. I've just got to get on with it and do the best I can."